More than 100 species: Africa, Asia, Europe; 43 species in China, particularly diverse in Sichuan and Yunnan.

Adylov, Kamelin, and Makhmedov (Novosti Sist. Vyssh. Rast. 23: 110-114, 1986) and Vvedensky (Conspect. Fl. As. Med. 9: 74-113, 1987) believe that species 2-43 in this account,
along with 2 Chinese species of Eremostachys, should be transferred to Phlomoides.